Public safety director announces ongoing crime fighting effort
File photo
The initiative was divided into phases, including a roundup that focused on known gang members and people with active warrants, Ambrose said in a statement. Other phases involved focusing on quality of life issues and complaints of criminal activity.
The law enforcement operation targeted areas around 7th Avenue to Park Avenue, Park Avenue to Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard to Clifton Avenue, officials said. Villa Victoria, Wynona Lipman and Kemsco public housing complexes were also included.
Arrests were made for various warrants, drug charges, aggravated assault and other offenses, officials said.
Extra cops on duty for July 4 weekend in Newark
Ambrose said the locations were selected by analyzing crime statistics, crime trends, along with complaints about drug activity and quality of life concerns.
"This initiative is part of the department's continuing crime fighting strategies and commitment to address our citizen's criminal and quality of life complaints through the use of sustained operations and strategies," the public safety director's statement said. "We continue to make progress with a reduction in overall crime of 20 percent so far this year."
In addition to the arrests, police also issued 19 quality of life summonses, checked 41 businesses, stopped several people with bicycle-related violations and conducted two road safety checkpoints, according to authorities. One bicyclist was also arrested on drug charges.
Residents were urged to provide information to police through the city's tip lines at 877 NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867). Crime Stoppers would be kept confidential.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.